10. CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER TEN
The following day, work took Emil out of town with a round of drop-offs and pickups for the gift shop, and he wouldn’t return until this evening. I had my usual breakfast and then explored the outer neighborhoods. Eventually, my internal compass turned me back toward the center, the old bridge drawing me to it magnetically. Around the corner past the tower, I was unsurprised to find the ever-present crowd amassed at its apex.
Dani caught my eye as I crossed the bridge. I gave him a disapproving look, but he only grinned wider.
“Is this all my life is worth?” he egged on his audience. “I’m hurt.”
I rolled my eyes, which landed on Luka. He sat on the edge of the bridge, partly hidden behind the people on my left. I worked through them until he spotted me.
He stood. “Hello.”
“Hi.” I pointed to his immobilized shoulder. “How’s it feeling?”
“It’s all right,” he grumbled. “Thank you for your help. I can’t remember if I said that. I guess I was kind of out of it.”
“You were, but I’m glad you’re okay. And you’re welcome.” I glowered in Dani’s direction before confirming with Luka, “You’re not diving today, right?”
Luka shook his head, shame written all over his face. “I don’t know that I will again.”
“That might be for the best,” I said dryly. When his shoulders sagged, I bit my lip. “How old are you?”
“I’m sixteen.”
“Would you like to live to seventeen?”
He smiled finally, and I lifted a shoulder. “Why do you want to do it, anyway?”
“People say that it’s a sign of manhood.”
“Oh please,” I scoffed. “Not that excuse again. If that’s what a guy thinks makes a man, then I’d pass. And I don’t believe I’m the only woman who would think that, either.” I crossed my arms. “Why do you want to do it?”
“It’s fun.”
“It’s stupid.”
He sulked, staring at the ground. “I guess, but I still love it.”
I let out a puff of air. “Well, maybe after some time spent healing, you’ll be at it again. If you want. But don’t be surprised if some girl doesn’t drool because of it. There are plenty of other reasons they’d choose to be with you.”
Hope lit his features. “You think?”
“Of course,” I said with an encouraging smile. I sat down on the wall, and he followed suit. We stared out over the town in silence for a moment before I noticed a young woman with flowing chocolate hair and a dusting of freckles making her way toward us. Her eyes were trained on Luka.
“In fact,” I said, “I think you might have nabbed one already.”
“Nabbed?”
I jerked my chin at the girl, who was only a few paces away.
Luka burst out laughing, his ears flaming red.
“What’s so funny?” The girl stopped dead in front of us, looking impatiently from me to Luka for an answer.
“Do you find me irresistible?” He batted puppy-dog eyes at her.
“Irresistible? Yes—irresistibly aggravating!” She patted him mockingly on the cheek.
“What did I miss?” I asked slowly.
“Who are you?” The doe-eyes that turned on me were the same color as her hair.
“Mallory.”
“Oh!” Excitement overtook her. “You’re Mallory?”
“Why does this keep happening?” I muttered.
“Because the whole town has heard how you rescued me.” Luka’s voice was a tad bitter. He turned back to the girl. “Yes, this is Mallory, and she thinks you have a crush on me.”
She pretended to retch. “Maybe that’s how they do it where she’s from.”
Luka laughed, having mercy on me as he explained, “We’re cousins.”
Oh!
“Sorry!” Was everyone in this town related? But wait, then that meant… “So, you’re related to Emil, too?”
“You know him?” she asked as she shaded her eyes with one hand. The blazing sun was making us all sweat. I was almost tempted to take a leap off the bridge just to cool off.
“Yes, we’ve hung out a few times.”
Her eyebrows shot up. “Well, there’s a first.”
What did that mean?
“So how are you related?”
“Glad to hear he’s such a fan of mine that he didn’t mention me. I’m his sister, Asja.”
“Of course. He did tell me about sisters, actually.” I held out a hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
She grinned, gripping it hard and swinging it between us like a toddler. “You, too. He also didn’t mention you back. ”
My spirit sank. “No?”
“Nope.” She shook her head. “He must really like you.”
I turned a questioning look on Luka. He just pressed his lips together.
“Luka,” Asja said, “Mia is meeting me here, then we’re going to Alina’s. Want to come?”
“I told Dani I’d help collect on the next run,” he said with a groan. “Maybe after?” His eyes slid past Asja. “Mia’s here.”
I followed his gaze, and my mouth popped open. There was no question. The woman approaching had to be Emil’s other sister. While her slender face and bowed lips were different, her hazel eyes were a dead match for Emil’s. Her serious expression was the polar opposite of her vivacious sister, though, a parallel with which I was all too familiar. Her hawk eyes cut from Luka to Asja before landing on me, cold as ice.
She spoke only to the two teenagers in Bosnian, her tone clipped.
“Just talking,” Asja answered defensively in English for my benefit.
Mia scanned me more thoroughly than airport security. “Who are you?”
I plastered a smile on my face, extending my hand once more. “Mallory. How are you?”
Mia didn’t take it. “Fine.” She turned back to Asja. “We need to go. Coming, Luka?”
“He’s bailing on us.”
“I’m not! I just can’t come right now.”
Asja sighed theatrically. “He doesn’t love us anymore.”
I laughed.
“Mallory could join us!” Asja interjected suddenly. I froze. There was no mistaking Mia’s demeanor, though I wasn’t sure what I’d done for her to be so hostile.
“I can’t,” I said quickly. “Thanks, though.”
“Are you going to meet Emil?” Asja asked, waggling her eyebrows at me and making a kissy face.
Mia’s look could’ve set water on fire .
Shit.
“No, not now,” I squeaked out.
“You know my brother?”
“Just a little,” I said. “He helped me out the night I arrived, and we keep running into each other.”
“How nice.” She clearly didn’t think so at all.
“Yes, he is,” I said, a hint of challenge creeping into my voice. What was her deal?
Her eyes narrowed to slits. “What do you want with him?”
“Want?”
“Yes. You women come here, looking for something exotic you cannot find back home.”
Oh no, she didn’t.
“Hold on. I didn’t come here looking for anything. I’m just passing through.”
She gave a stiff nod. “Good. Pass.”
“Mia!” Luka stood, his tone cutting, his boyish looks suddenly set into stern angles. “She’s a good person. Haven’t you heard about what happened to me? You should be thanking her.”
For the first time, Mia backed off a step. Her guard was still up, but she gave a small shrug. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” My voice was flat.
“You’re such a drama queen,” Asja moaned. “Can we go now?”
“Yes.” Mia brushed past her sister.
“I’ll see you around,” I said to Asja.
“Yes,” Asja called as Mia dragged her by the arm.
The last glare Mia threw at me told me I was clearly pushing my luck.
When they had disappeared over the bend in the bridge, I looked at Luka.
“What was that about?”
He puffed out a breath. “Mia thinks foreign women are stealing all the good men away. Or just checking a box off in their book. ”
“That’s ridiculous!”
“Not entirely,” he said. “But, to be fair, some men do like western women, too. It’s not so one-sided.”
“Well, that’s not what I’m here for.” I plopped back on the wall, crossing my arms tightly over my chest.
“Don’t let her get to you.”
“Is she married?”
Luka grinned. “Yep, with two kids.”
“They must be delighted.” Poor things.
“They’re all right,” he said lightly. “You just seem to bring out the worst in her.”
“Fantastic.”
The crowd drew a breath in unison, and I turned in time to see Dani plunge into midair. His drop seemed to linger longer from this angle, a sense of vertigo from watching him descend sending my heart into my throat. He cut cleanly through the water, rising up to give his signature fist pump before swimming to shore.
Luka stood as people began to dissipate, some stopping to toss a few extra coins into his collection hat. “What are you doing today?”
“I’m not sure.” I bit my lip. “Any suggestions?”
“Hmm.” His face lit up. “Do you have your bathing suit?”
“It’s in my room.”
He nodded. “Get it and meet me here at three.”
“Okay?” I asked, waiting for more.
His answering grin reeked of mischief.
In the afternoon, I found myself back on the bridge just as the swell of tourists dispersed from the latest jump. Luka was easy to spot as he organized their take from the hat, portioning the money out between himself and a diver I didn’t recognize .
“Hey,” I said as I approached.
“Hello. One minute.”
“Sure.”
The other diver gave me a thorough once-over before diligently turning his eyes back on the cash.
“Good day?” I asked when Luka joined me.
“Not bad.”
“So what are we doing?”
“You,” he corrected. “What are you doing?”
“Okay, what am I doing?”
“You’re following me.”
I let him lead me to one side of the bridge. He ushered me up a small set of stairs, where I spotted a sign for the diving club. I twirled around.
“No, nuh uh,” I said, waving my hands in front of me.
“Oh, c’mon. I’m not asking you to jump off the bridge. We’re going to the practice platforms.”
I eyed him suspiciously.
“Honest. It’ll be fun.”
“I’ve seen what your idea of fun looks like,” I reminded him.
He held up a finger. “One jump. If you hate it, then we’ll leave.”
I sighed. “Fine. One jump. But if I die, let that be on your conscience.”
“I’m okay with those terms.”
The men inside welcomed Luka warmly, chatting away in rapid Bosnian. When Luka waved me forward, they greeted me like I was some kind of savior.
“Ah, Mallory, welcome!”
“Hello,” I said with a smile. Their excitement and warmth were contagious.
“She wants to practice diving,” Luka told them, shooting me a keep your mouth shut look.
“Great,” said the oldest of the group.
“Is there a fee?” I asked, opening my purse, but the man swatted a hand at me.
“Not for you. When you jump off the bridge, come here so you can be in the books.”
I raised an eyebrow at Luka, who was dutifully avoiding my gaze as he awkwardly gathered up some gear into a bag with one hand.
“Thanks! We’ll be back when she’s ready!” He practically pushed me out the door and down the stairs.
“I’m not jumping off that bridge,” I said when we were outside.
“Maybe you’re a big baby and you opt out. It wouldn’t be the first time. They don’t need to know that yet.”
“I’m not a baby! And I believe I made it quite clear that I wouldn’t from the start.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
He led me through the narrow streets, working our way to the diving platform. He kicked off his shoes and sat at the edge of the rocks, dipping his toes in. “Are you also a baby for the cold?”
Heaven knew I was, but I wasn’t about to admit it. If I’d made it swimming with Emil, I could handle this for my pride, even if it meant enduring without his shared body heat. The warmth of the day had seeped into my skin anyway, so I could do with a little cooling off—or so I told myself. I set my flip-flops to the side and sank down next to him, plunging my legs in up to my mid-calf.
It was freezing!
Instant gooseflesh popped across my body.
“You all right?” Luka egged me.
“Mhmm.” I clamped my teeth together to prevent them from chattering right out of my mouth.
“It’s cold, I know. I got you a wetsuit.”
“Luka!” I yelped, yanking my feet out of the water.
He shook with laughter. “I couldn’t help it.”
“This is the thanks I get!” I huffed in mock-anger.
Once I was fitted in the wetsuit, Luka began to explain the appropriate technique for the jump. We did trial positions on land, the watchful eyes of tourists across the river making me anxious. At last, Luka nodded with approval.
“You got it. Now, just do the first one.” He pointed toward the platform, the lowest jump still seeming to tower over my head.
“I don’t think I like this,” I balked.
Luka began to protest, but the words never left his mouth. His body relaxed, and he gave a casual shrug. “All right. If you can’t handle it, I’ll take the wetsuit back.” He held out an expectant hand.
I ground my teeth, let out a childish huff, and made for the steps. They complained beneath my feet as I climbed up and along the lower platform. My heart thumped as my eyes sought out Luka. He offered me an overly zealous thumbs-up. I shook my head, urged my body past the point of no return before I could think twice, and plunged toward the steady river.
I was airborne for what seemed both an eon and an instant. The crowd became a blur of colorful clothes, while the turquoise river moved in slow motion. Tendrils of current swept below me, the water ominous and beautiful from this angle. My hair whipped across my eyes, making me want to push it out of the way, but Luka’s clear instructions forced my hands to remain where they belonged, preparing for the plunge. And yet, even as my body went through the motions of anticipating entering the water, an exhilarating sense of joy set my insides alight.
This was freedom.
This was exhilaration.
This was abandoning all semblance of control.
Moving, keeping going, not stopping.
No thinking.
No past.
No future.
Just now.
It was peace and anxiety and release, all at the same time .
Damn it, Luka was right.
It was also insanely fun!
The shock of raw cold quelled the mix of fear and adrenaline, my mind gloriously blank as I drifted suspended beneath the water. The river had a stronger than expected current, tugging my body down as if it didn’t want me to go yet, either. But even as I struggled toward the surface, inside I was lighter than I had been in days. I emerged, drawing in a deep breath that felt more like an exhale. I grinned as I fought my way back to the bank where Luka waited, his hand outstretched.
“Are you all right?” he asked as he helped hoist me onto solid ground.
I nodded, shaking all over. He threw a towel around my shoulders.
“You did good. Nice entry.”
“Th-thanks.”
“How was it?” He knelt next to me, his forehead creased with worry.
I sighed, shivering. “You win.”
His concern was wiped away by a huge grin. “I told you!”
“Save the gloating for later. I want to go again.”
He barked a laugh.
I spent the next few hours alternating between jumping and the two of us relaxing beside our little bend of the river. Luka was a quiet soul, not a chatterbox. Long silences stretched leisurely, followed by bouts of insane glee as I flung myself off the higher platform. Finally, the sun dipped to hide behind the hills while summer thunderclouds gathered as rapidly as a sped-up movie. We packed everything and made our way back up to the street.
As we crossed the bridge to return the gear to the club, I hesitated, Luka wandering ahead of me unaware.
What would it be like to jump from up here? my reckless mind wondered.
I leaned over the railing. It was still impossibly high, but I’d grown a little more accustomed to the sensation of vertigo. My skin tingled with a mad desire .
“Mallory?” Luka had stopped and was watching me carefully.
“What do you think?” I said. “Am I ready?”
He closed the gap between us. “It’s late,” he said hesitantly. “And a real instructor is supposed to be present.”
“I don’t know if this will last. I feel…brave.” I shook my head. “Do you know what I mean?”
His throat worked as he swallowed. “Yes.”
“Am I ready?” I asked again.
Even though he looked like he’d rather not, he nodded.
“I’ll still want that wetsuit,” I warned, tossing down my bag.